Mercedes-Benz develops Blockchain-prototype for sustainable supply chains

Mercedes-Benz Cars and Icertis, a leading provider of enterprise contract management solutions in the cloud, have teamed up for a strategic partnership for a consistent documentation of contracts in the supply chain.

Daimler says it requires its direct suppliers to vigorously pass on and control standards and contractual obligations with regard to working conditions, human rights, environmental protection, safety, business ethics and compliance within the supply chain. The Blockchain prototype allows a transparent mapping and understanding of this transmission across the entire supply chain. Should one of the sub-suppliers deviate from the contractual obligations, this becomes visible in the Blockchain, similar to a secure accounting system. Mercedes-Benz Cars and a number of Icertis experts have successfully developed and programmed a prototype. Acceptance by suppliers and partners is now being tested in a pilot project, and feedback is being obtained.

According to Wilko Stark, Member of the Divisional Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Cars, Procurement and Supplier Quality attaches great value to sustainable supply chains: "Blockchain technology has the potential to fundamentally revolutionise our procurement processes, and could affect nearly the entire value chain. Global supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. With our Blockchain prototype, we are in the first step testing one of diverse possible applications with the aim of increasing transparency beyond our direct suppliers."

Blockchain: Technology with potential
The placement of contract clauses in the Blockchain creates a sustainable transaction book. The disclosure and confirmation of the Daimler sustainability requirements can be retraced by all participants in the supply chain. This ensures that global procurement and contractual practices meet the stringent requirements of Daimler AG. Confidential information is not visible. The prototype creates trust in the integrity of the supply chain by disclosing sustainability-related information, without revealing competition relevant information.

“The transmission of contracts to each member of the supply chain is the prerequisite of cooperation with our suppliers, especially in terms of sustainability and ethical conduct. The Blockchain prototype opens up completely new ways to make purchasing processes simpler and safer,” says Sabine Angermann, Head of Purchasing and Supplier Quality for Raw Materials and Strategy at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The intuitive and user-friendly operation of the Blockchain service platform is significant for the success of the project. Only then the company can help its suppliers to easily get started with the new technology, and attract the necessary users. Consistently establishing Blockchain technology with all suppliers in the respective supply chain is a fundamental requirement for the achievement of the goal: close cooperation for more sustainability.

Another application is the traceability of components and raw materials. Complex supply chains can be disclosed, the origin of which can be traced across the partners involved. The effectiveness of a Blockchain depends on the quality of the data and the level of digitisation. For this purpose Mercedes-Benz Cars says it will cooperate in partnership with its suppliers.